Steelers have QB issues for offseason

By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For the first time since he became coach in 2007, Mike Tomlin will have some issues to address at quarterback.

And not just on the depth chart.

Sure, he has to decide which veteran quarterback he wants to keep most -- Charlie Batch, 37, who compiled a 3-1 record filling in for Ben Roethlisberger the past two seasons and has been the healthiest quarterback on the roster; or Byron Leftwich, who was brought in via a trade to replace Roethlisberger for four games at the start of the 2010 season, but instead has thrown seven meaningful passes in the past 2 1/2 seasons because of injuries.

Of greater significance is how Roethlisberger will adjust to a new offensive coordinator, especially if Tomlin goes outside the organization to hire a replacement for Bruce Arians.

Roethlisberger has had to adapt to a new coordinator just once, and that was after his third season in 2007, when Arians replaced Ken Whisenhunt, who left to become head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. But the transition was smooth because Arians, the wide receivers coach, had installed much of the passing game Roethlisberger used while Whisenhunt was the coordinator.

Roethlisberger is already upset that Arians will not be back next season. His discomfort only will increase if he has to learn a new scheme with new terminology -- one of the reasons the Steelers are likely leaning toward finding their offensive coordinator in-house.

Beyond that, there are issues involving the backups.

Leftwich, Batch and Dennis Dixon are unrestricted free agents, and the Steelers will re-sign one and possibly two for next season. Dixon, a fifth-round choice in 2008, is not expected to return because he has indicated he wants to be at least a No. 2 quarterback -- something he has not been, at least on a permanent basis, with the Steelers. He did not appeared in a game this season.

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Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Smith and Byron Leftwhich. Smith has proved he's a capable backup in the NFL, as he beat us just a few years ago as a member of the Ravens. He's not the tallest man on the roster, but he's definitely talented.

bayz101 wrote:

Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Smith and Byron Leftwhich. Smith has proved he's a capable backup in the NFL, as he beat us just a few years ago as a member of the Ravens. He's not the tallest man on the roster, but he's definitely talented.

I agree it's not as difficult as he makes it out to be. Down time I guess but Lefty at #2 and Smith mopping up I believe will be our backups.

solardave wrote:

bayz101 wrote:

Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Smith and Byron Leftwhich. Smith has proved he's a capable backup in the NFL, as he beat us just a few years ago as a member of the Ravens. He's not the tallest man on the roster, but he's definitely talented.

I agree it's not as difficult as he makes it out to be. Down time I guess but Lefty at #2 and Smith mopping up I believe will be our backups.

Must be a slow news day

We just have to hope Lefty can stay healthy long enough to throw it and we'll be fine. If not, we'll have Smith at Second String with Jerrod Johnson at clean up.

bayz101 wrote:

Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Smith and Byron Leftwhich. Smith has proved he's a capable backup in the NFL, as he beat us just a few years ago as a member of the Ravens. He's not the tallest man on the roster, but he's definitely talented.

This is what I'd like to see too. Leftwich has to manage to stay healthy one of these years. COME ON SEVENS!

Smith will do in a 3rd string role.

I'd also like to see them draft a QB for the practice squad (or better). Ben has taken a beating in his career and, sooner or later, we'll have to think towards the future. He could wake up one day in the coming years and find his body can't go anymore with the abuse he's taken. His attitude towards Arians' being let go could also potentially make this a smart move if it becomes a problem (which it hopefully doesn't).